Mayr made what looked like being the decisive move on a narrow section through the trees, however Philaries Jeruto Kisang of Kenya retook the lead just before the final climb.

Inspired by the home crowd, Mayr overtook Kisang in the final hundred metres of the climb and went away to take a seventh world title in 48 minutes 14 seconds.

Kisang took second in 48:51, with Grayson Murphy of the United States third in 49:22.

In the men’s event, Patrick Kipngeno of Kenya successfully defended his crown, taking advantage of a series of steep and narrow switchbacks on the course of 7.1 kilometres, featuring 1,020 metres of ascent.

Kipngeno then extended his advantage on a flat section and the final uphill to take victory in 40:18.

Levi Kiprotich of Uganda claimed the silver in 41:51, with fellow Kenyan Josphat Kiprotich of Kenya completing the podium in 42:04.

Kenya took gold in both team events.

On the second day of action the 45km trail events took centre stage, with the men’s title retained by Stian Hovind Angermund of Norway.

Angermund made his move in the Nordkette Mountains and took victory in 4hours 19mins.

Thomas Roach of Britain took second place in 4:21.18, with Luca Del Pero of Italy coming through the field in the final kilometres to secure third in 4:22.04.

In the women’s race, victory went to Clementine Geoffray of France, who powered away on the downhill descent at the Starkenburgerhutte, as she took victory in 4:53.12.

Silver went to Switzerland’s Judith Wyder in 4:55.13, with her compatriot Theresa Leboeuf claiming a first World Championship medal as she completed the podium in 5:09.29.

France dominated the long trail competitions, contested over a route of 85km, with the men’s individual title going to Benjamin Roubiol, who on his debut at the Championships became the only athlete to finish in under ten hours, as he took victory in 9:52.59.

Andreas Reiterer of Italy took silver in 10:00.46, with Peter Frano of Slovakia earning bronze in 10:02.10.

There was more French success in the women’s race, with victory going to Marion Delespierre, whose day job is as a doctor, as she took the title in 11:22.31.

Delespierre struggled with cramp in the closing stages after overtaking Germany’s Katharina Hartmuth on Kranebritten, with Hartmuth taking second in 11:29.14.

France’s Manon Bohard Cailler took third in 11:34.22, while France took both the men’s and women’s titles in long trail.

The mountain classic disciplines concluded action on the final day with Leonard Chemutai of Uganda taking victory over the 15km course in 56.14, after breaking clear on the final downhill section.

Ombogo Kiriago Philemon of Kenya took silver in 56.22, with Germany’s Filemon Abraham third in 56.27.

In the women’s race, Murphy of the United States, who had earlier won bronze on the vertical uphill, assumed control on a downhill stretch of the course, as she took victory in 1:04.29.

Tove Alexandersson of Sweden, a 17-times World Championship gold medallist in orienteering, took silver in 1:05.26.

The bronze medal went to Joyce Muthoni of Kenya in 1:06.40.